Mechanical chair construction



1964 B. L. SIEGAL ETAL 3,

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m Q Bur-fan L. Siega/ Howard F. Newman Jan. 7, 1964 B. L. SIEGAL ETAL 3,116,952

MECHANICAL CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 fiz'azzfars Barfon L. Sieyal Howard E Newman 1964 B. L. SIEGAL ETAL 3,116,952

MECHANICAL CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Burfon L. Siega/ Howard I: Newman Jan. 7, 1964 L. SIEGAL ETAL MECHANICAL CHAIR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 22, 1959 fizz-a2: furs Bur-fan L $iega/ Howard E Newman Jan. 7, 1964 B. L. SIEGAL ETAL MECHANICAL CHAIR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 22, 1959 firezzfazzs aurfon L. Siega/ Howard E Newman United States Patent 3,116,952 MEEIIANIEAL CHAER CQNEERUC'HGN Burton L. Siegal and Howard F. Newman, Chicago, EL, assignors to Emil 3. Paidar (Iompany, Chicago, ilh, a corporation of lliin-ois Filed Get. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 848,903 11 Claims. (1. 2979t3) The present invention relates to improvements in chairs and particularly to an adjustable mechanical barber chair.

The present invention contemplates the provision of an improved chair which is adjustable in elevation and which particularly has features for improved adjustment of a backrest and footrest. As will be appreciated while the present chair is provided particularly for use in barbering the features may be utilized in other types of chairs, and for purposes of description reference will be made to use in the barber chair field.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved barber chair wherein the backrest is adjustable as to its angle of inclination and is also adjustable as to its vertical position with the use of improved mechanism for supporting the backrest.

Another object of the invention is to provide a barber chair with an improved footrest which is more stable and stronger in its lowered position and which has improved features of construction that permit it to be simply and compactly positioned between the chair armrests for storage and shipping.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved locking mechanism for locking the chair footrest and backrest in their adjusted positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved side arm assembly which avails a rigid sturdy armrest and permits simple interchangeability of armrests and armrest supports.

A salient overall objective of the invention is the provision of an improved barber chair construction which is simpler and less expensive than structures heretofore provided and yet obtains improved functional features and features of operation.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment thereof in the specification, claims and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of assembled portions of the framework of the chair, as viewed when looking upwardly;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of portions of the framework, base and footrest mechanism in assembled form;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIGURE 3 illustrating the position of the footrest during storage or for shipping;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of the base and framework illustrating operation of the mechanism to obtain the adjusted position of the backrest and footrest;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed rear elevational view, with portions in section, of the mechanism for locking or releasing the footrest and backrest;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed perspective view illustrating an apron cross member which connects to the footrest assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a rear elevational view of the framework for the backrest of the chair;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional View taken substantially along line XX of FIGURE 9;

- 25, 26, 27 and 28.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the upper bar portion of the side armrest of the chair;

FEGURE 12 is a perspective view of the armrest assembly of the chair; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective View of another form of chair armrest.

As shown on the drawings:

As illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, a chair is provided with a base 16 including a lower base plate 1'7 which may be cast but preferably is of pressed sheet steel, and has rising out of the center thereof a column l3 which forms a shroud housing the operating mechanism for hydraulically elevating the chair. At the top of the column is bolted a fiat horizontally extending rectangular metal plate 19. This plate forms part of the framework of the chair and the chair mechanism is suitably supported and hung on the plate for mounting it on the base.

The plate forms a support for a seat 20*, FIGURE 1, and at the back of the seat is a backrest 21. Side armrests 22 and 26 are at the side of the seat and a footrest 24. is mounted on the framework at the front of the seat.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the plate is bolted at the top of the column 18 by bolts having enlarged aligning heads Head-receiving recesses such as 29 are provided in the lower surface of the seat 2% so that the seat will be locked and aligned on the plate with respect to the other members of the chair. The seat 2-9 which is of a padded cushioned nature covered with a suitable plastic or leather is therefore easily removable.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 5, beneath the plate 19 and extending from the front to the rear of the plate are bars 3d and 31. These bars form a pivotal support for the backrest and footrest.

Backrest arms 32 and 33 are pivotally connected by bolts to the bars 30* and 31 and the plate is shown provided with notches to permit pivotal movement of the backrest arms 32 and 33.

At the front end of the bars 3% and 31 are footrest support arms 34 and 35 which are pivotally connected by bolts to the bars 36 and 31. Rigidly mounted across the footrest arms 34 and 35 is a platform 36 on which the chair occupant steps as he leaves or enters the chair. At the end of the arms 34 and 35 is a footrcst 37 which is pivotally adjustable for supporting the feet of the occupant in the chair.

The footrest assembly 24 and the backrest 21 are simultaneously adjustable between the positions shown in solid line and in dotted line in FIGURE 5.

Connected across between the footrest arms 34 and 35 is an apron cross member 33. The apron cross member is releasably connected to the footrest arms as will be described and movement is transmitted between the (footrest and the backrest by connecting rods 39 and sit which are pivotally connected at each end between the backrest arms 32 and 33 and the apron member 38.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the apron cross member 33 has vertical end plates 43 and M with the end plate 44- having C-shaped slots 42 and the end plate 43 having C-shaped slots 45. Connected to the inner surface of each of the footrest arms 34 and 35' are shoulder bolts 4-6 and 4'7 respectively. The bolts have nuts thereon and sliding shoulder members 48 and 453 which releasably lock the arms 34 and 35 to the apron cross member 38. When the nuts are tig tened on the bolts 4-6 and 47 the shoulder members 48 and 49" are forced into the Cl-shaped slots 42 and 4-5 thereby locking the assembly. When the nuts are loosened on the bolts the shoulder members can be slid out of the C- shaped slots and the bolts themselves will pass out of the open front of the slots permitting the footrest as- 3 sembly 24 to be swung up to the storage position illustrated in FKGURE 4.

For this purpose, the plate 36 and the footrest 37 are narrower in Widths than the distance between the side arms 22 and 23, and the footrest arms 34 and 35 are bent inwardly to accommodate the width. This permits the footres't assembly to be swung up above the seat 2% for storage and shipping.

The apron cross member 33 is hidden by a panel 59, FIGURE 1, which is suitably attached between the footrest arms 34 and 35 and which can be easily removed for releasing the footrest from the apron cross member 38.

The apron cross member is shown in detail in FIGURE 8 as including a U-shaped body 51 forming a concave channel at the rear side for receiving welded connecting brackets. Welded brackets 52 are provided with aligned holes for connecting to the connecting rod 39. Welded brackets 53 are similarly provided for connecting to the connecting rod all. An intermediate set of brackets 54 are provided for connecting to a control rod as will be described. Connecting pins 55 and 56 are provided for securing the connecting rods 3? and ill to the apron cross member. In order that the pins 55 and 56 may be inserted into the holes of the brackets 52 and 53, openings 57 and 58 are provided in the ends of the plates 4-3 and 4 1 of the cross member 38.

Connected to the brackets 54- on the apron cross member 38 is a sliding control rod 61 which is locked in a trigger assembly 69 to hold the footrest and backrest in their adjusted positions. The rod 61 is released and the backrest manually pushed to the desired position (with the pivotal movement being transmitted to the footrest through the connecting rods 39 and 4-6) and the holding rod 61 is then locked. The trigger assembly 6d includes a trigger box 832, FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, which has spaced bearing holes as and 64 slidably receiving the holding rod 61. The holding rod may have a stop washer 63 suitably locked to its end to prevent the rod from being pulled out of the trigger box 62.

Within the trigger box the holding rod extends through holes in angular locking plates 66 and 67 having spring means 68 biasing the plates apart to lock on the holding rod 61. A movable cam 69 has inner tapered cam surfaces '70 and 71 to cam the plates 66 and d7 inwardly to release the holding rod 61. The plates are pivoted against bosses 72 and 73 within the trigger box 62. An axial opening in one side of the trigger box is closed by a plastic expandable plug 47. An assembly opening in the other side of the trigger box is closed by an expandable plastic plug 75 having an opening therein for a projection of the cam 69. The trigger box has a laterally bored opening 76 which permits it to be pivotally hung on a crank shaft 77 which is supported on the column 1.3 of the base 16. The crank shaft 77 connects to op erating mechanism within the column 18 for controlling the elevation of the chair and is operated by a crank arm '78, FIGURE 1. The crank shaft 77 operated by the crank arm or handle '73 has rotational movement in the direction indicated by the arrow '79, FIGURE 7, for raising, lowering or locking the elevation of the chair and has movement in the direction of the arrow 86' laterally outwardly of the chair for release of the holding rod 61 from the trigger assembly at The crank shaft 77 extends through an opening in a side panel 3d beneath the side armrest Z2 and a trim plate 82 covers the opening. The crank handle '78 is secured to a hub 83 which is pivotally mounted for movement about an axis extending fore and aft of the chair for movement in the direction indicated by the arrow d. The handle is connected to the trigger box by rods 84 and 85 which are swung as illustrated in the solid and dotted line positions, to accommodate by movement of the handle 78 back and forth without releasing the trigger assembly 6%. \0d has a socket in its end to receive the end of rod 34 and is hollow with a plunger 86 slidable therein and held outwardly against the rod by a coil compression spring 83 seated on a crosspin 89. The body 87 of the link 85 has a conical tip which is received by a socket in the end of the cam 6%. Lateral outward movement of the handle '78 will push the rods S4 and 85 inwardly to move the cam ea inwardly to thereby release the holding rod 61.

Since the trigger box 62 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 77 it will shift without binding on the holding rod 61 and yet will be rigidly positioned to hold the position of the footrest and of the backrest of the chair. As will be observed, the mechanism is very simple in construction and is easily assembled. The plastic plug 75 provides a simply assembled holding arrangement for keeping the parts within the trigger box 62 andpr n s dirt and foreign materials from entering the box.

The backrest 21, FIGURE 1, includes a padding matterial covered by a plastic or a leather and is mounted on a suitable frame 91, FIGURE 9. The frame is shown as being rectangularly shaped with upper and lower cross members 92 and 93 and a vertical center member 94 which is provided for means for holding a headrest for the chair. Vertical side members 95 and 96 attach to the members 92. and 93. On the inner surfaces of the side members are tracks 1% and 1131 which slide over the backrest arms 32 and 33 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 10. The tracks are secured to the frame which may be of wood or similar suitable material such as by screws 98 passing through holes in the base of the tracks. The tracks may conveniently be formed of sheet metal and have inwardly extending spring fingers or flanges 99 which ride on the outer surface of the arms to frictionally hold the backrest in the adjusted position. This permits the operator to raise or lower the backrest and it will stay in the position at which it is fixed. The arrangement illustrated presents a preferred and simplified form of adjustable support for the backrest which coacts with the adjustable arm arrangement.

The side armrests 22 and 23 are supported by the framework of the chair, and as illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 armrest supporting braces 102 and 19 are secured to the lower surface of the plate U by suitable means such as by riveting, bolting or welding. Each of the armrest braces 192 and 193 extends laterally across the chair. The braces have upper strut members res and N35 which extend outwardly and downwardly and are joined at their ends to cross bars 166 and 107.-

The side armrests each have generally rectangular shaped armrest frames 198 and 109, FIGURE 1. The frames are bolted to the ends of the braces 102 and 193 with the points of connection being covered by side panels such as 31. As illustrated in FIGURES 1, 11 and 12, the siderest frames are substantially identical in construction and the frame M8 has a lower horizontal portion lilil which connects to the armrest braces. Integral with the lower portion are upstanding side portions 111 and 112 which turn inwardly at their upper ends 113 and 114 to terminate in a short inwardly extending arm. The arms of the frame fit against the lower surface of an arm-- rest bar 135 which is suitably padded and covered and which may be provided with suitable appurtenances suchas an ashtray, towel holder and the like. The arm 115 has. channels Tilt? and H7 cut into each end and for this purpose may be formed of wood or other suitable materiaL. The channels have a flat surfaced base 118 and 119 and.

at the sides of the channel are grooves I120 and 1121. This: shape of the channel accommodates the U-shaped crosssection of the armrest frame 108. Attaching screws ex-- tend up through the upper ends 113 and 114 of the frames:

into openings such as 122 and 123 in the bar 115 to rigidly secure the bar and the frame. An end cap 124.fo1:'

the rear end of the bar is profiled to fit over the frame and an end cap 125 at the front end provides a finishing end.

An alternate form of a frame 126 is illustrated in FIG- URE 13 which may be interchanged with the frame 198 with the use of the same bar 115. This frame is made of flat material and the inturned end, illustrated at 128 will fit against the fiat surface 113, FIGURE 11, of the groove 116 of the bar 115 thus holding the frame 126 as rigidly to the bar 7.15 as the frame 1th? was held to the bar. An end cap 127 is adapted to the shape of the frame 126. This interchangeability permits rapid and simple change of models or change of side frames for purposes of appearance or strength without requiring change in armrest bars or change in any other parts of the chair assembly.

When the occupant is to leave the chair, the crank arm '73 is pulled outwardly so that the trigger mechanism will release the holding rod 61 and the footrest will be swung down to its lowermost position. In this position the footrest arms 34 and 35 will each be supported by side supporting stops l2? and 133, FIGURES '3, 4 and 5. The stops are formed of a material which affords rigid support and which is relatively resilient such as nylon. The stops are suitably secured at each side of the side arm brace 192. Thus the weight of the occupant on the plate 36 Will be transmitted to the entire framework of the chair greatly stabilizing the footrest against the weight of the occupant and against side thrusts as the occupant steps off of the footrest.

in operation, the chair, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, has the backrest 2]. vertically adjustable and frictionally slidable up and down on the backrest arms 32 and 33. The backrest 21 and footrest 24 are pivotally adjustable and locked in the pivoted adjusted position by a trigger box 62, FTGURE 5, which clamps down on a holding rod 61. For periods of storage and for shipping, the side arms 34 and of the footrest are releasable from the apron cross member 38 and are of a width to swing upwardly over the seat to the position shown in FIGURE 4. It will be understood that these elements are swung to this position in the assembled chair in the form in which it is illustrated in FEGURE 1 so that the chair can be shipped in completed assembled form and simply placed in condition for operation by swinging the footrest down to the position of FEGURE l and attaching it to the cross member 38. The side armrests 22 and 23 are rigidly supported on open frames 1% and 169 secured to the framework of the chair including the arm braces 102 and 1- 23 mounted beneath the flat plate 19. The elements of t e chair are carried on the plate which is suitably secured to the base 16 and which supports the seat 29.

Thus it will be seen that we have provided a new and improved adjustable mechanical chair which meets the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth. A salient feature of the construction is its rigidity coupled with its simplicity and inexpensive construction.

The chair is fully adjustable and the adjustability is accomplished with improved locking and release control mechanism and improved relationship between adjustable parts.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to die specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative construction and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a barber chair structure or the like comprising a base with a supporting framework thereon, a seat mounted on said framework, a pair of side armrests mounted on the framework at each side of the seat, a pair of footrest support arms, a platform connected between said arms, a footrest connected between said arms, said platform and footrest being narrower than the width between said side armrests, means pivotally connecting the footrest arms on said framework accommodating pivotal movement between adjusted foot support positions below said seat and storage positions above said seat and between said armrests, a cross member rigidly releasably connected to said arms, and means for adjustably positioning said cross member with respect to said seat to move the footrest arms through adjusted support positions and so that the footrest arms may be released from said cross member for movement to said storage position.

2. A barber chair structure comprising a base with a supporting framework thereon, a seat mounted on said framework, a footrest having side arms pivotally connected to said framework, adjustment means for controlling the position of said footrest arms and adjustable between -a raised position and a lowered position, and stop members rigidly connected to said framework positioned below the pivotal support of said footrest arms and located to be engaged by each of said arms in the lowered position so that support is provided for the footrest on each side thereof in the lowered position of the footrest for supporting an occupant leaving the chair.

3. A barber chair structure comprising a base with a supporting framework thereon, a seat mounted on said framework, a pair of side armrests at each side of the seat, armrest braces on the framework secured to each of the side armrests, a footrest having side arms pivotally connected to said framework, adjustment means for controlling the position of said footrest arms and adjustable between a raised position and a lowered position, and non-metal relatively resilient stop members connected to said armrest braces for engagement by said footrest arms in said lowered position so that a stabilizing support is provi ed as the chair occupant steps on the footrest.

4. A barber chair structure comprising a chair framework, a seat mounted on said framework, a backrest pivotally mounted on said framework at the back of the seat, a footrest having a pair of side footrest arms pivotally mounted on said framework, a rigid apron cross member extending across between said footrest arms, means for rigidly connecting said cross member to said footrest arms including a pair of slidable shoulder bolts on each of said footrest arms, and means defining boltreceiving forwardly-facing open G-shaped slots on each end of said cross member for releasably attaching to the shoulder bolts and for releasably and rigidly attaching the footrest arms to said cross member for movement with the backrest.

In a barber chair having a seat and side arms mounted on a framework, the combination comprising an interconnected adjustable back and footrest mounted on the framework, a sliding position control rod connected to said back and footrest, a trigger box for releasably locking said rod connected to the framework, a control handle pivotally mounted on said framework for pivotal cranking action to raise and lower the chair and for lateral movement to release said rod, and a pair of links universally joined to each other and connected at their ends to said trigger box and to said control handle to permit pivotal cranking action of the crank arm without operating said trigger box.

6. In a barber chair structure, the combination comprising a chair framework, a seat mounted on said framework a back adjustably mounted on said framework, a footrest adjustably mounted on the framework, means connecting said back and footrest for simultaneous adjustment, a sliding position control rod connected to control the position of said back and footrest, a trigger boxmounted on said framework and slidably receiving said position control rod, a pair of angular locking plates having openings for receiving said rod, spring means biasing said locking plates to a rod locking position, a movable cam in said box for moving the plates to a rod release position, means defining an opening in said box for inerting said plates and earn, a plastic disc closing said opening for sealing said box, and a release rod engaging said cam and extending through said disc for releasing said position control rod.

7. In a barber chair structure or the like comprising a base with a supporting framework thereon, a seat mounted on said framework, a pair of side armrests mounted on the framework at each side of the seat, a backrest pivotally mounted on the framework, a pair of footrest sidearms, a platform and a footrest connected between said arms, said platform and footrest having a width less than the distance between said side armrests, means pivotally connecting said footrest support arms to said framework and accommodating pivotal movement between adjustable I foot support positions below the seat and a storage position above the seat between said armrests, means for locking the position of the footrest support arms in said foot support positions, means joining said backrest to said footrcst support arms for simultaneous position change, and means releasably connecting said footrest arms to said locking means and to said joining means for releasing the arms to pivot to said storage position.

8. A barber chair structure comprising a floor supported base with a vertical central column said column having an elevatable top portion, a fiat horizontal plate mounted at the upper end of said top portion with the top portion secured at substantially the center of the plate, a pair of side armrests supported on said plate, pivotal support members connected beneath said plate, a footrest having side footrest arms pivotally connected to said support members, a backrest having supporting backrest arms pivotally connected to said support members, and interconnecting members beneath the plate secured to said footrest arms and said backrest arms for simultaneous pivotal movement thereof.

9. A barber chair structure and the like comprising:

a chair framework,

a seat mounted on said framework,

a footrest having a pair of side footrest arms pivotally mounted on said framework,

a pair of spaced vertical arms pivotally mounted on the framework,

:1 cushioned backrest,

a pair of spaced vertical tracks mounted on said cushioned backrest being spaced approximately the same distance as said vertical arms,

said vertical arms being slidably mounted in said backrest tracks, and

resilient frictional gripping means on said backrest tracks to frictionally grip said vertical arms to selectively permit the cushioned backrest to be adjusted to a plurality of positions along the length of the vertical arms.

10. In a backrest assembly for a barber chair and the like having a chair framework, a seat mounted on the framework, a footrest having a pair of side footrest arms pivotally mounted on the framework, and a pair of spaced vertical uniform cross-sectional arms pivotally mounted on the framework, the backrest assembly comprising:

a cushioned backrest,

a pair of spaced vertical tracks mounted on said cushioned backrest being spaced apart approximately the same distance as said vertical arms,

said vertical arms being slidably mounted in said backrest tracks, and

resilient frictional gripping means on said backrest tracks to frictionally grip said vertical arms to selectively permit the cushioned backrest to be adjusted to a plurality of positions along the length of the vertical arms.

11. in a barber chair structure as described in claim 8,

said pivotal support members being inverted channel means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,671,556 Sterling May 29, 1928 1,738,284 Carter Dec. 3, 1929 1,747,505 Emmert Feb. 18, 1930 1,814,876 Weber July 14, 1931 1,814,877 Weber July 14, 1931 2,098,500 Koenigkrarner Nov. 9, 1937 2,630,858 Bellin Mar. 10, 1953 2,751,970 Smith June 26, 1956 2,826,242 Thompson Mar. 11, 1958 2,841,212 De Vos July 1, 1958 2,871,928 Swenson Feb. 3, 1959 2,874,756 Simon Feb. 24, 1959 2,958,370 Bank et al. Nov. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 948 Australia Mar. 11 1926 

1. IN A BARBER CHAIR STRUCTURE OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A BASE WITH A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK THEREON, A SEAT MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK, A PAIR OF SIDE ARMRESTS MOUNTED ON THE FRAMEWORK AT EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT, A PAIR OF FOOTREST SUPPORT ARMS, A PLATFORM CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID ARMS, A FOOTREST CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID ARMS, SAID PLATFORM AND FOOTREST BEING NARROWER THAN THE WIDTH BETWEEN SAID SIDE ARMRESTS, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE FOOTREST ARMS ON SAID FRAMEWORK ACCOMMODATING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN ADJUSTED FOOT SUPPORT POSITIONS BELOW SAID SEAT AND STORAGE POSITIONS ABOVE SAID SEAT AND BETWEEN SAID ARMRESTS, A CROSS MEMBER RIGIDLY RELEASABLY CONNECTED TO SAID ARMS, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING SAID CROSS MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO SAID SEAT TO MOVE THE FOOTREST ARMS THROUGH ADJUSTED SUPPORT POSITIONS AND SO THAT THE FOOTREST ARMS MAY BE RELEASED FROM SAID CROSS MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT TO SAID STORAGE POSITION. 